Off to the Capital: Marseille, European capital of Culture in 2013

Marseille Provence will honour the title of European Capital of Culture in 2013. For a full year, this region will host more than 400 cultural events showcasing the artistic excellence of Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. From Aix-en-Provence to Marseille, from Arles to La Ciotat, a constellation of towns and villages fan out accross the wide range of landscapes that characterize the region of Provence. Three broad categories define the the region's unique social and geographical features: cosmopolitanism, the relationship between nature and towns/cities and urban cultures. All throughout 2013, visitors and residents alike will enjoy outstanding moments throughout the Marseille-Provence region. From January to December, music, dance, exhibitions (fine arts, sculpture, contemporary art and architecture), circus arts, cuisine and theatre will shine throughout the whole of Provence.

The year 2013 will unfold like a long chronicle told in three parts. The story's central theme is the Mediterranean, the narrative of its two shores, and le partage des midis ("sharing the midi's"). This is the common thread throughout the entire programme.

• From January to May, episode 1 "Marseille Provence welcomes the world" focuses on welcoming and explores the region with exhibitions such as "Journeys and Ports of Call", in which the boats sail from port to port in rhythm with human life and history, and visitors will follow the flow.
• From June to August, heading the summer with episode 2 "Marseille Provence Open Sky." The second act of the European Capital of Culture's exhibitions unfolds under two ambitious projects: the MuCEM exhibition, a unique architectural creation at the entrance of Marseille's Vieux-Port which embodies the Mediterranean Basin as a bridge between East and West. A utopian version of Van Gogh is the foundation of the summer's flagship exhibition, held between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, as well as in Aubagne, Martigues, Cassis and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
• Finally, from September to December, Episode 3 "Marseille Provence of a thousand faces." It takes place under the banner of togetherness. Nearly a century later, the region's faces during this third and final act of the European Capital of Culture number not one hunderd, but one thousand. Theses faces are first and foremost the great "Mediterranean figures" - those emblematic personalities who continue to light our consciousness and fuel our imagination, such as Averroès, Albert Camus, Le Corbusier, Pasolini, Penone, Pistoletto and others

Throughout the year the Hotel Villa Massalia invites you to travel and to discover our favorite spots. Join us and discover the many facets of Marseille Provence European Capital of Culture!
Download the complete program.